Waits and Wilson team up again

Several sites are reporting that Robert Wilson and Tom Waits are teaming up again for a stage musical project. Martin McDonagh - best-know for his movie In Bruges - is to direct the musical, which is said to premiere in Paris (France) next year.

Previously, Wilson and Waits worked together on The Black Rider: The Casting of Magic Bullets, Alice and Woyzeck.

More over at Slashfilm, Talking Films and Twenty-four Bit.


(Thanks to everyone who mailed me about this one)

Mother Tom Waits passed away

Sad news from the Waits family: Alma Johnson McMurray, Tom Waits' mother, passed away last week.

UPDATE (March 1st): the obituary in the San Diego Union - Tribune

Two Tom Waits tracks on Preservation Hall Jazz Band album

As previously noted, Tom Waits will appear on a CD with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band titled Preservation: An Album To Benefit Preservation Hall & The Preservation Hall Music Outreach Program.

The album is due for release in the US on the 16th February, according to Amazon.com.

The cd is released in two versions. The ordinary run of the mill cd (with Tom Waits starring on the track Tootie Ma Is A Big Fine Thing) and a 'deluxe version' with extra tracks, including one featuring Tom Waits (Corinne Died On The Battlefield)

Tootie Ma is a Big Fine Thing is streaming online at preservationabenefitalbum.com.

Thanks to everyone who pointed me in the right direction for this one, especially Jarlath and Nael.

Book of Eli clip

Not too much Waits-related news around, so I thought I'd share this clip from the movie Book of Eli, which is hitting theatres these days. Tom Waits stars opposite Denzel Washington.


THE BOOK OF ELI: Ohhh Sweet

Last oil-stain t-shirts

Kings Road Merch announced on its Twitter account the Glitter & Doom tour shirts 'are done' January 31st. 'At Waits' request', it reads. So, if you're interested, I suggest you have a quick look at their online store.

Sea chanteys

According to The Australian, American producer Hal Willner is thinking about a follow-up for the compilation album Rogue's Gallery: Pirate Ballads, Sea Songs, and Chanteys.

The first volume was performed by artists such as Nick Cave, Bryan Ferry, Richard Thompson and Gavin Friday to name but a few. Amongst the names mentioned to contribute songs this time around, are those of Shane MacGowan, Keith Richards and Tom Waits.

You can listen to a medley of the first volume at ANTI's site.

Tom Waits Library open for business again

What a way to celebrate the new year: the Tom Waits Library is open for business again.

Please remember: the advertisement-free TWL is free for one and all to enjoy, but you can show your appreciation by supporting the good cause (or go directly to PayPal if it's closed).

Giveaway winners

Not too many entries for the the December giveaway (137), so I guess most of you already have the entire Waits catalogue in your possession.

A lot of those who did enter, hoped for the vinyl Orphans box, but as the first name out of the hat asked for (the less expensive) Glitter & Doom live, I decided to give away two more copies of that album.

The winners have been notified and the cd's should be on their way to James (Virginia), Jodie, (West Virginia) and Nigel (The Netherlands) soon.

Better luck next time to the rest of you.